From the St. Francois County Journal Oct 7, 1937. John Helms, John Francis Helms, son of the late John and Sarah Richie Helms, was born February 24, 1876, at Sullivan, Missouri, and died at the Bonne Terre Hospital, Oct 2, 1937. Mr. Helms was injured in a mine accident on September 14, 1937, and later developed pneumonia. On May 11, 1906, he was united in married to Miss Edna Bennett of Flat River. To this union three children were born. They are: Iva (Mrs. Glen) Tucker and Carl of Detroit, Michigan; and Fern (Mrs. Dorsey) Bay of Esther. He also leaves two brothers, Henry and Tom, of Sullivan, two sisters, Sarah Helms of Sullivan and Mrs. Nancy Cunningham of Detroit, Michigan. Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon athe home of Rev. T.M. Estes, pastor of Esther Baptist Church and interment was made in the Woodlawn cemetery under the direction of Caldwell's funeral service. Out of town folks attending the funeral were: Mrs. John Rhyner, Mrs. Stanton Buran, Mr and Mrs. Lawrence Thyner, Mr and Mrs Peter Ogles, all of Festus; Mr and Mrs. M. Jariska and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sparks, Miss Ruth Kearns, all of St. Louis: Mr. and Mrs. Tom Helms and son Walter, Henry Helms, Mrs. Sarah Helms and three daughters of Sullivan: Mrs. John Cowan and son Leslie; Mr and Mrs. A.S. Bennett and son Carl Henry and Calude LOng of Libertyville; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pirtle and son, Clyde, of Farmington; and Miss Gertrude Pirtle of Crystal City.
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From the Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois Co., MO, Fri Oct 8, 1937 John Helms, John Helms of Esther, an employee of St. Joseph Lead Company, died last Saturday Morning, Oct 2, 1937, in Bonne Terre Hospital of injuries received in an accident while at work underground on September 14th. Death occurred on the 11th anniversary of another accident in which Mr. Helms was seriously injured and two others, Roy Glore and Albert Umfleet, were killed while at work for the Baker Lead Company. Funeral services were held at three o'clock Sunday afternoon on the lawn at the Helms residence, conducted by Rev. T.M. Estes, pastor of Esther Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. J.L. Presser. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, in charge of Caldwell Bros. service. John Francis Helms, son of the late John and Sarah Richie Helms, was born on Feb. 24, 1876 at Sullivan, MO., and passed away on Oct 2, 1937, at the age 61 years, 7 months and 8 days. He was married on May 11, 1906 to Miss Edna Bennett of Flat River. To this union were born three children, all of whom with the wife and mother survive. They are Carl Helms and Iva (Mrs. Glen) Tucker of Detroit, Mich., and Fern (Mrs. Dorsey) Bay of Esther. Also seven grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Helms of Sullivan, Mrs. Nancy Cunninham of Detroit, and two brothers, Tom and Henry Helms of Sullivan. Mr. Helms was a kind and loving husband, father and neighbor and will be sadly missed in the community.